The highly anticipated Forbes Under 30 Africa list was released last week. While we are excited for the young and innovative female entrepreneurs who made the list, we want to specially celebrate the curator of the list, Ancillar Mangena-Nombewu, for bringing in all together.

Ancillar is a multi-award winning journalist who believes in the power of storytelling to make an impact in society. She currently works for Forbes Africa magazine, a job she received after the Editor read a piece she wrote for a local community paper. “If this woman can write as prolifically for a neighbourhood newspaper, thought I, imagine what he could do for the continent’s sparkling business magazine?” He said.

Passionate about telling stories that educate and help people make informed decisions, Ancillar has been recognized with the CNN Young Journalist Award and Sanlam Excellence in Financial journalism Young Journalist Award. She was also a Finalist for the Foreign Press Association Journalism Awards in 2016. In 2017, she was named as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum.

Want to know the philosophy that drives her? This is how she puts it in her own words in an interview with Rise Africa Rise:

“Every day, try and be the best version of yourself no matter the pressures. Guide those that follow behind you and learn from those ahead. Most importantly, speak less, observe and learn.”